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Smoothie Ingredients: The Ultimate List

Smoothies are the best way to get many different nutrients packed into one meal or snack. They taste delicious, too!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to smoothie ingredients and combinations, so rather than list a group of recipes, I thought I'd create a comprehensive list of the best smoothie ingredients and smoothie making tips.

If you stock up on some or all of these items at the store, you'll be able to turn your kitchen into a smoothie bar, and make whatever you're craving at a moment's notice.

Blueberry Banana Smoothie from Stylish Cravings
Blueberry Banana Smoothie from Stylish Cravings

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Smoothie Making Tips:

Achieving the perfect smoothie texture

A smoothie is only as good as its texture. You want it to be, well, smooth. Not too runny, too gritty, or so dense you need a spoon. The goal is to create a creamy smoothie that's drinkable, yet slightly thick.

For that reason, you'll need a combination of liquids, solids, and frozen items.

You should also include one or more of these "texture boosting" ingredients. I call them texture boosting because they puree nicely and add a thickening and binding component to the smoothie that can't be achieved by solids and liquids alone.

Texture boosting ingredients:

  • Banana
  • Mango
  • Yogurt
  • Sorbet
  • Silken tofu
  • Nut butters
  • Avocado

Can I use ice in a smoothie?

You can, but I personally prefer to use frozen fruits & vegetables to make the smoothie cold. This is because ice can a) water the smoothie down, and b) create a gritty, slushy texture.

That said, if you don't have any frozen ingredients on hand, ice will certainly do! Just make sure that your blender is capable of properly pulverizing the ice so that you're not left with chunks of ice in your finished smoothie.

Mango Kale Smoothie from Happy Foods Tube
Mango Kale Smoothie from Happy Foods Tube

Do I need a high powered blender for smoothies?

For years, I made smoothies using a $20 basic blender that we'd received as a wedding gift. I thought it worked perfectly well for simple smoothie recipes using classic, soft ingredients such as bananas, yogurt, strawberries, mangoes and spinach.

But as I got more interested in using diverse ingredients, I found my old blender lacking. I wanted to use items such as blackberries and pomegranate seeds, and my cheap blender wasn't able to puree the seeds properly.

In addition, I wanted to use hearty greens such as kale, which can sometimes taste gritty when pureed in a traditional blender.

For that reason, after much deliberation and research, I recently upgraded to a VitaMix 750 professional series blender. Note: I don't think you need to make this investment unless you plan to make smoothies often, and you're wanting to go beyond the basics.

Are Smoothies Healthy?

Smoothies can definitely be healthy, but not all smoothies are created equal. When it comes to making a "healthy" smoothie, it depends on your goal. A big reason that I created this post is so that you can find your own perfect healthy smoothie recipe that works for your needs. Do you want a protein boost? An antioxidant or immunity boost? A way to get more greens into your diet? A caffeine boost that's more nutritious than coffee?

The big thing to pay attention to if you want a healthy smoothie is avoiding too much SUGAR. That means cutting back on the fruits and fruit juices and instead adding more protein-rich milks or nut milks, greens/vegetables, and protein rich add-ins such as low sugar yogurt or tofu.

List of Smoothie Ingredients to Stock at Home:

Instead of following a specific smoothie recipe, I like to experiment with the ingredients I have at home.

Sometimes I'm in the mood for something light, green and healthy, sometimes I want a post-workout protein smoothie, and sometimes I'm looking for a meal replacement or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up with a little bit of caffeine.

Here is a list of the best smoothie ingredients I like to keep on hand:

Pineapple Mango Smoothie from Wanderspice.com
Pineapple Mango Smoothie from Wanderspice.com

Best fruits for smoothies:

I prefer to store my smoothie fruits in the freezer so that I don't need to use ice; however, refrigerated or room temp fruits will work just fine, too.

  • Bananas
  • Pineapple
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cherries
  • Peaches
  • Cantaloupe
  • Watermelon
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Kiwi
  • Acai berries

TIP: If you're making a smoothie containing kale or spinach, adding pineapple is a tried and true way to mask the "green" taste of the vegetables.

Greens and vegetables for smoothies:

  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Beets
  • Avocado
  • Sweet potato puree
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Carrots
Hemp Chocolate Smoothie with Pomegranates & Raspberries
Hemp Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie from Homemade & Yummy

Liquid smoothie ingredients:

  • Cold brew coffee
  • Green tea
  • Fruit juice
  • Vegetable juice
  • Milk
  • Nut milk
  • Coconut milk
  • Coconut water
  • Chocolate milk
  • Pea milk*

*Of all of the milk options I've tried, pea milk (Ripple) is my favorite. Why? It has a super creamy, slightly thick texture that's perfect for smoothies. It comes in regular and chocolate.

Nutritional add-ins for smoothies:

Whether you want some additional protein, fiber, healthy fats, or immunity boosters, these are some ingredients you can add to your smoothie to give it some added nutrients.

  • Protein powder
  • Peanut powder
  • Matcha powder
  • Oats
  • Chia seeds
  • Flax seeds
  • Hemp seeds
  • Nut butter
  • Cacao
  • Ginger
  • Coconut oil
  • Turmeric
Strawberry Banana Smoothie from Yummy Mummy
Strawberry Banana Smoothie from Yummy Mummy

Natural sweeteners for smoothies:

If you're finding that your smoothie needs a little added sweetness, try these add-ins.

  • Additional fruit
  • Honey
  • Fruit juice
  • Dates
  • Maple syrup
  • Agave syrup

Flavor boosts for smoothies:

Ready to take your smoothie to the next level? Try experimenting with some herbs and spices to boost the flavor of your favorite smoothie.

  • Fresh basil
  • Fresh mint
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Almond Extract
  • Peppermint Extract
  • Cocoa Powder
A variety of delicious smoothies. Tons of ideas for ingredients to make any smoothie at home.

Are you ready to start experimenting? I'd love to hear about your favorite concoctions. Post a comment below or tag me @goodinthesimple in an instagram photo of your creations.

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Carol

Monday 9th of March 2020

I use a combo of blueberty, strawberry, banana and peach/mango. Which is really good, then I thought it needed some vegies so I opted for powders. I dehydrate kale, then grind it and beet powder. It makes me feel better and didn't really change the taste. I also add soy protien and chia seeds. A bit of low fat milk to blend and done. Yummy

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